Vanderbilt Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Clinic

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a group of long-term, chronic intestinal disorders can be uncomfortable and painful. These disorders, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, can disrupt your daily routine and impact your quality of life.

The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Clinic at Vanderbilt University Medical Center provides comprehensive care and management for IBD. Our team of specialists work together to offer you long-term relief your IBD symptoms, minimize flare-ups and help you achieve longer lapses of remission.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Why Choose Vanderbilt

Recognized care. U.S. News & World Report ranks Vanderbilt Gastroenterology and GI Surgery among the top programs in the nation. We are the #1 adult hospital in Tennessee and metropolitan Nashville.

Unique expertise. Vanderbilt has the only dedicated clinic that exclusively treats IBD in the Southeast region. This means our doctors offer a unique level of knowledge and skill to treat your IBD.

A team approach. Our gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons work closely with nurse practitioners, dietitians, pharmacists, social workers and psychologists to provide the comprehensive care you need.

Personalized care. Our team compassionately guides you through your diagnosis and treatment. We work together to review your test results and develop a personalized care plan to meet your unique needs. If necessary, we can quickly refer you to a colorectal surgeon or other specialists.

Clinical trials. We offer you access to clinical trials (research studies) investigating new, promising therapies and treatments for IBD. This means you have access to innovative approaches to care before they are widely available. Search open clinical trials.

Support services. Our dedicated specialty pharmacists and administrative staff can help you easily and quickly obtain your prescriptions. We also offer access to the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, which uses research-based therapies to complement your treatment.

Smoking cessation services. Smoking can aggravate your Crohn’s disease symptoms. Our team can guide you to resources to help you quit smoking.

Responsive team. We want to make your experience as seamless and stress-free as possible. You can use our secure online portal, My Health at Vanderbilt, to contact your care team 24/7, schedule appointments, manage your medications and access your medical records.

Conditions We Treat

Crohn’s disease

Indeterminate colitis

Ulcerative colitis

Diagnostic Tests

We may perform one or more tests to confirm a diagnosis of IBD. Test options may include:

Treatments We Offer

We offer a full range of treatment options to help you manage the symptoms of your IBD. We will discuss different treatment options with you, which may include:

Lifestyle changes. Some foods may cause your IBD symptoms to flare- up. Our registered dietitians can help you make changes to your diet to reduce or prevent symptoms. Getting more exercise, improving your sleep habits and quitting smoking can also improve your health.

Medications. We may be able to help control your IBD symptoms and flare-ups with immunosuppressive medications. Our doctors work closely with specialty pharmacists to determine the right medication and dosage for you.

Surgery. Most people do not need surgery. But for some patients, surgery may be an option to reduce long-term or chronic symptoms that do not improve with lifestyle changes or medications. We can refer you to a colorectal surgeon, if necessary.

Patient Stories

Jennifer Fleming was 22 years old when troubling symptoms led to a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. In the years since, her disease has been managed with a low amount of medication. Read her story.